By: Rich Umbdenstock, President and CEO, American Hospital Association

December 24, 2009 — For years, America’s hospitals have worked to make coverage for all a reality. With the passage of today’s bill, we are closer to that goal. In short: the bill begins to lay a solid foundation for coverage, delivery and payment reforms that can help hospitals provide quality care to more people.

Hospitals support many of the bill’s provisions that help increase coverage, including utilizing non-governmental, non-profit entities to provide more choice for consumers. At the same time, we would like to work with lawmakers to increase the levels of coverage and address other issues of concern to hospitals that can improve the package.

We look forward to working with the Senate and House of Representatives as they merge their respective bills in conference and bring about a new era for our nation’s health care system.